Angular adjustment mechanism for aligned shafts



y 1942- R. M. ROOF 2,284,070

I ANGULAR ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR ALIGNED SHAFTS Filed May 29, 1941 I mvwron Razz/w. Z005 Patented May 26, 1942 AN GULAR ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR ALIGNEDI SHAFTS Robert M. Roof, Anderson, Ind assignor of onehalf to Neel M. McCullough,'Anders0n, Ind.

Application May 29, 1941, Serial No. 395,700- 7 Claims. (Cl..287-1) This invention relates to able drive.

The chief object of this invention is to proa universal adjustvide a relatively simple structure and one which is easily adjusted whereby two shafts in axial alignment may be angularly adjusted for specific timing purposes.

In certain arts and industries it is essential that a certain timing relationship exists between a source of power and the structure utilizing that power. In certain applications in the aforesaid arts and industries, conditions varyso that the so-called timing requires adjustment. some particular instances, such timing variation is extremely critical to ultimate operation or peak performance. Consequently a slight angular adjustment between a driving shaft and a driven shaft may result in a performance all out of proportion to the minor character of the adjustment actually effected inthe angular relation between the two shafts.

The chief feature of the invention consists in accomplishing the foregoing result by rela-f very readily ad'-.

tively simple'means which are justed.

The primary characteristic of the invention is theinclusion between two axially aligned shafts of two toothed surfaces, one of whichis of appreciable length and one ofwhich (and not necessarily the other one) is longitudinally slidable and rollable relative to the other toothed surface in -mesh therewith;

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the'invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing, the following description and claims:

Fig. 1 of the drawing is a simple embodiment of the invention utilizing a central gear and a pair of meshing pinions, the pinion support and specific anchorage being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a triple pinion modification of the invention showing the same including ;a spider type support for the pinion. Fig. 3 illustrates in central section a slightly modified form-of pinion support, the associated portion of the central gear being illustrated in section.

In Fig. l of the drawing, I0 indicates one shaft and H an axially aligned shaft. Herein the two shafts are shown terminating immediately adjacent each other but the same may have abutting contact or one may be recessed and telescopically receive and rotatably support a reduced extension upon the end of theother shaft.

Numeral I2 indicates the central gear having a hub portion I3 which, preferably, is provided with a tool engageable portion I4. Such portion may be hexagonal so that the same can readily mount a monkey wrench, hand vise or the like. L

Confronting the gear I2 and carried by the other shaft is a plate-like member I5. This plate-like member may have a cylindrical periphery or may be of spider form as illustrated in Fig. 2. It. also includes a hub portion I6 which has a peripheral tool engageable portion I! that may be similar to the portion I 4 or the hub I3.

In offset relation to the common axis of the aligned shaft and, preferably, equidistant inso far as arcuate and radial spacing is concerned; there are provided threaded sockets in the sup! port member I5. Herein, such sockets are illustrated as the threaded apertures- I8 extending through the plate-like member I 5. Threadedly mounted therein is a bolt-like portion or extension I9 rigid with a pinion 20. This pinion meshes with the adjacent toothed portion of the gear I 2. As shown by the two sets of dotted lines When the proper angular adjustment for timing I purposes is obtained, a lock nut 2| may be applied to the projecting, end of the bolt extension I9 and lock the bolt to the support member I5 and prevent further movement of the pinion relative to said-support member I5. When all the pinions areso adjusted and similarly locked to the support member I5, the shaft II is locked in adjustedrelation to the shaft Ill.

An easy means of adjustment is as follows:

All the lock nuts 2| are released. Then a hand.

vise or monkey wrench is applied to the collar I4 and a hand vise or monkey wrench is applied to the collar II, it being understood that these members are rigidly secured to their respective support shafts. The one hand vise may be turned relative to the other to effect the desired angular adjustment. In that relative movement the bolt-like extensions I9 either thread into or thread out of the threaded apertures I8 simultaneously.

ofpinion rolling relative to the gear that is effected and the axial movement of the pinion and, hence, the sliding movement oflthe pinion 7" relative to the gear.

From the foregoing, therefore, it is obviousthat the construction can be designed for any desired capacity of power transmission from one shaft to the other and the invention is of such character that the shafts have unlimited variable adjustment possibilities. Such adjustment is not restricted to full tooth adjustment for rea-- sons hereinbefore set forth.

For'any major angular adjustment between shafts, greater than; permitted by the axial ac-' .commodation of bolts IS, the pinions, etc. can

be entirely disassociated, or gear l3 unlocked The invention claimed is: 1. In combination with two axially aligned shafts one being driven by the other, an angular therebetween including a.

adjustable connection central gear secured to one shaft and having a tooth face of appreciable length, a plate secured to the other shaft in confronting relation to the gear, a plurality of farcuately equally spaced pinions meshing with the gear, an axial extension from each pinion and externally threaded, said plate having threaded, sockets for threaded extension; reception, the pinions being arcuately movable about the gear upon pinion threading and unthreading movement upon the plate and movable longitudinally of said gear parallel to the axis thereof in such movement, and means locking said extensions in adjusted position in the plate sockets.

2. In combination with two axially aligned shafts one being driven bythe other, an angular adjustable connection therebetween including a from shaft 10 and relocated'and then reassociated with the pinions and the final adjustment effectedby means of the bolts [9. Itis this possibility of accurate minor adjustment that constitutes the major value and utility of themvention.

In Fig. series indicate parts similar, identical or comparable to the primary numerals which designate,'similar, identical or comparable parts illustratedinFig; l. I

This form'of the invention shows the support member 15 as of spider-like character. It is in a sense one of balanced typebut it is not as balancedas, when such support is a circular plate,

2 of the drawing, numerals of the 100 the periphery of which is concentric with the supporting shaft axis.

In Fig. .1, it will be noted that'the bolt-like ex-- tension I9 is integral with the pinion 20. In Fig. 3, numerals of the 200 series indicate like or sim-- ilar parts to those illustrated in Fig. 1 and designated by the primary numerals.

This embodiment of the invention differs from that shown in Fig. l in that the bolt-like extension 218 is not integral with the pinion 220 but isprovided with a non-circular pinion supporting portion 225 that is seated in the corre sponding complementary, non-circular aperture 2260f the pinion gear. A flange 221 on the extension 2I9 in conjunction with the headed portion 228 serves to rigidly secure the pinion 220 to the bolt-like mounting member 2l9.

The dotted lines in this figure indicated by X and Y again indicate the extreme positions of longitudinal or axial movement of the pinion;

The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2

is such that the pinion I20 and the bolt 9 'may be of the character illustrated in Fig. 1 or of the a character illustrated in Fig. 3.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. a

The several modifications described herein, as

well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, are all considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

pinions'meshing with the gear, an axial exten-- "sion from each pinion and externally threaded,

said plate having threaded sockets for threaded.

extension reception, the extensions having threaded ends exposed by the plate, the pinions being arcuately movable about the gear upon pinion threading and unthreading movement upon the plate and movable longitudinally of said gear parallel to the axis thereof in such movement, and means locking said extensions in adjusted position in the plate sockets, said sockets constituting apertures extending through the plate, and the ends of the extensions being exposed by the plate opposite from the pinion side thereof, said locking means constituting a locknut upon the plate exposedend of the extension.

3. In combination with two axially aligned shafts one being driven by the other, an angular adjustable connection therebetween including a" central gear secured to one shaft and having a tooth face of appreciable length, a plate secured tothe other shaft in confronting relation to the gear, a plurality of arcuately equally spaced pinions meshing with the gear, an axial extension from each pinion and externally threaded, said plate having threaded sockets for threaded extension reception, the extensions having threaded ends exposed by the plate, the pinions being arcuately movable about the gear upon pinion threading and unthreading movement upon the plate and movable longitudinally of said gear parallel to the axis thereof in such movement, and means locking said extensions in adjusted position in the plate sockets, said sockets constituting apertures extending through the plate, and the ends of the extensions being exposed by the plate opposite from thepinion side thereof, said locking means constituting'a locknut upon the plate exposed end of the extension, the plate and gear each including a hub portion, said hubs being oppositely directed and formed for tool engagement.

4. A pair of hub provided confronting members, one having a toothed periphery and the other constituting a gear support, a gear meshing with the periphery and slidable and rollable relative thereto and carried by said other member, and means locking the gear in the adjusted 5. A pair of. axially aligned shafts, a gear rigid with one shaft, a pinion meshing with the gear and rollable and slidable relative thereto, and

means locking said pinion to said other'shaft for locking said shafts together in angularly adjusted relation.

6. A pair of axially aligned shafts, a plurality of rotatively adjustable toothed members, rotatable upon parallel axes appreciably offset from and parallel to the axis of the shafts and movable longitudinally of their respectives axes, means securing said toothed members in adjusted position upon one of the shafts, and means rigid with the other shaft and having adjacent each first-mentioned toothed member an appreciable number of arcuately arranged teeth having meshing engagement with the toothed members whereby said shafts may be locked together in angularly adjusted relation.

justed position upon one of the shafts, and means rigid with the other shaft and having adjacent each first-mentioned toothed member an appreciable number of arcuately arranged teeth having meshing engagement with the toothed members whereby said shafts may be locked together in angularly adjusted relation, certain of the toothed members.

teeth being of appreciable width to insure meshing engagement for any axial adjustment of the ROBERT M. ROOF. 

